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Frederick County School Board opens FY2026 budget hearing; preschool expansion requested
Summary
At a Feb. 4 public hearing, the Frederick County School Board heard public comment on the proposed fiscal year 2026 budget, including a request to add one Virginia Preschool Initiative classroom. The board also approved routine procedural motions and entered a closed session on superintendent goals under Virginia law.
Frederick County School Board members opened a public hearing on the proposed fiscal year 2026 budget Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025, and heard three public speakers urging the board to prioritize classroom funding, competitive teacher pay and preschool expansion.
The public hearing drew remarks from resident Brian Nuri, early-childhood supervisor Angie White and resident Dodie Soudemeyer. White, who identified herself as “the early childhood supervisor for Frederick County Public Schools,” asked the board to add one more Virginia Preschool Initiative, or VPI, classroom for the 2025–26 school year.
"We have increased consistently throughout the last seven years to now 327," White said, referring to the number of preschool slots the Virginia Department of Education said the division is eligible to serve. "We serve 72." White said FCPS currently serves 72 at-risk children in four classrooms and maintains a wait list. "We need more of our kindergarten children coming to school ready to learn, and preschool helps with that," she said.
Resident Brian Nuri said the board should press the Board of Supervisors for funding and criticized past budget negotiations. "This board has unfortunately had to play chicken with the Board of Supervisors," Nuri said, arguing the proposed budget represents needs rather than wants and urging board leadership to accompany Superintendent Dr. Hummer to the supervisors' meeting.
Resident Dodie Soudemeyer urged fiscal caution and noted a staffing-share figure discussed at committee: "Staff comprises 83% of all the budget, personnel spending," she said, adding countywide spending comparisons and warning that rising assessments could make tax increases difficult for some residents.
On procedural business, the board approved remote participation requests for Miles Atkins and Linda Martin after motions and voice votes. The board also approved the meeting agenda by voice vote. Later in the meeting the board voted to enter a closed session under Virginia Code § 2.2-3711(A)(1) to review and discuss superintendent goals; the motion to enter closed session was seconded and carried. The board reconvened from closed session and certified by motion that only matters lawfully exempted under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act were discussed.
No formal budget adoption or amendments were voted on during the public hearing; the session recorded comments and closed without a final appropriation vote. The board adjourned following routine motions.
What happened next: The public hearing record will be part of the formal budget process as the division and the Board of Supervisors continue budget negotiations. Speakers and staff asked for specific follow-up on preschool capacity and staffing costs; the board's public record shows those items were raised but received no formal board directive in the session transcript.
